Rambling Cyclists: Day 7 - Exploring Maastricht, Rest day.

Sunday 10 June, 2018

Distance 24.74kmTime 1:38:55Average speed 15km/h (Top speed 41km/h)Elevation 125mTemperature 22C

Rest day. We started the day with a sleep in and a leisurely and long breakfast then set off into Maastricht proper on the bus. We were met at the train station by our friend from Hong Kong, Tanya who then gave us a lovely tour of Maastricht.

We visited the Old Domincan church Selexyz Dominicanen, which some claim to be the best book store in the world. It is a 13th century church that has been transformed into a very vibrant book store.

Next we explored the Markt or town square, and some of the really old buildings that Maastricht boasts. Basilica of St. Servatius, Sint-Janskerk, the old wall of the city.

We visited the Natural History Museum which had some unexpected surprises - including many intact fossils.

We continued to walk around the city, and happened upon a Jazz festival happening around some of the back streets.

We indulged in a Belgium hot chocolate on a stick, and Belgium chocolate on a stick with some icecream.

We came across a really nice bike shop / coffee shop. Alley Cats Bikes and coffee.

We left Maastricht town centre and headed back to the hotel, and decided to ride out to the Netherlands American Cemetery. Garmin took us on a wld ride along some very dubious tracks that were literally goat tracks and very tough to ride on. However, we did pass some of the caves we had heard about in the morning at the Natural History museum where Christians had hidden, then Jews, then the Nazi's at the end of World War II. They are essentially man made tunnels into the hills.

We arrived at the cemetery, however it had closed at 5pm, which we had sort of anticipated. The ride home took us on a very long and steep hill which we had avoided going via the goat tracks and ride back was so much faster. We bought some take out dinner and ate it on the grounds of where were staying.